Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and medium storing program thereof

An image processing method for extracting an illustration area from an input original image to generate vector data of the illustration area, the method comprising the steps of:

• extracting an area for each color from the illustration area;
• generating vector data that represents each of the areas extracted in the area extraction step;
• specifying an area that is in contact with a boundary of the illustration area from among the areas extracted in the area extraction step;
• extracting a color of an area surrounding the illustration area;
• determining whether or not the color of the area surrounding the illustration area that has been extracted in the color extraction step is the same as the color of the area specified in the area specification step;
• and
• processing vector data that represents the specified area if the determining step determines that the colors are the same.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing an image processing program for causing a computer to execute a process for extracting an illustration area from an input original image to generate vector data of the illustration area, the program causing the computer to function so as to:

• extract an area for each color from the illustration area;
• generate vector data that represents each of the extracted areas;
• specify an area that is in contact with a boundary of the illustration area from among the extracted areas;
• extract a color of an area surrounding the illustration area;
• determine whether or not the extracted color of the area surrounding the illustration area is the same as the color of the specified area;
• and
• process vector data that represents the specified area if it is determined that the colors are the same.